Proposed Puttige mini hydel project gives sleepless nights to locals


Yashodhar Bangera
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore (SP)

Mangalore, Jul 25: At a time when the heat generated by the proposal of the government to set up a thermal power plant at Niddodi has given anxious moments to the people living in villages around this village, the fact that a private company from Bangalore has been making preparations to set up a mini hydro power project at Puttige in the neighbourhood of Niddodi has added to the worries of the people in the region. The villages of both Niddodi and Puttige are up in arms against these two projects, which they term as a ploy to destroy fertile agricultural land and inflicting of human atrocity on nature.

A Bangalore-based company has applied for no objection certificate for the construction of a dam for the purpose of reservoir, which will feed a mini hydro electric project proposed to be installed in Kallamudkoor village near here.

As per the plan, the power generator unit will be installed at Nagundi on the banks of River Shambhavi where the rivulet pours into that river, and water flowing in from the proposed dam at Kanjibail will run the turbines. The company has also approached the government for setting up a seven mw mini hydro electric power project. These proposals, it is learnt, have been examined by the committee set up for the purpose, which has given its nod to the company subject to certain conditions. Discussions about pros and cons of this project were held at the Gram Sabha, and the villagers also participated in a meeting convened by the managing director of the company on July 18 this year.

The hydro electric project, which is planning to be installed at Nagundi within Puttige gram panchayat limits, is likely to result in inundation of about 200 acres of agricultural land owned by about 60 families living in Kanjibail region in Puttige, once the proposed dam comes up there. The residents of the village in general, and those living in the vicinity of the said project in particular, say they are determined not to fall prey to the efforts being made by the company to convince them to give up their land. Saying that they will be doing everything within their command to thwart annexation of their land, the villagers are planning to lead a delegation for achieving this objective, to the state chief minister.

The villagers are afraid that over 200 acres of land spread over Kodipady, Kongoor, Matha, Karumugeru, Bailabari, Siriyara, Gendabettu, Heladadka, Madimak Gundi, Moonkmar, Golimar, Anadka, Kadanjirabettu, Murantakody, Madhorottu and Botta near Erugundi in Kanjibail may go under water because of the reservoir that is likely to come up at Kanjibail Erugundi. The fear of the people has further got deep-rooted because of certain surveys which were conducted here in the past. The rivulet across which the dam will be situated, joins River Shambhavi at Nagundi. Already because of this rivulet, when it is in spate, houses of a number families in the region as well as Puttige Temple compound goes under water. The villagers also feel that Arbikatte, which has come to be known as a picnic spot, and the natural charm of Naga Falls in Kallamundkoor, which has religious significance, will be adversely affected.

Vasudeva Nayak, a resident of the village, feels that his house as well as several others in the region will get submerged by the proposed reservoir, taking into consideration the fact that water from the rivulet spreads to their courtyards during every rainy season at present, even in the absence of this dam. Noting that towers of mini hydro power units set up near Moodbidri have been seen spitting fire into the air which affects the lives of the people, he feels that the mini hydro electric project if set up in his neighbourhood, might burn down the houses of the people here. Ward member, Shashidhar Nayak, said that he always supports agitations and protests that are held legally for lawful purposes, duly stressing that the gram panchayat will not issue no objection certificate for the unit if the villagers are against it. Dhruva Bhat is determined not to allow his land to be taken away for the proposed project, and to ensure that agriculture and his village will survive, duly fighting against all the odds the people are facing now.

 

  

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Comment on this article

  • yogesh, bombay

    Sat, Jul 26 2014

    Has feasibility study been done? Is the Naga falls high enough to drive turbines? Or is it going to be another scam? Whatever be it the falls will be out of public reach if the project comes up

    DisAgree Agree [3] Reply Report Abuse

  • Ajay, Mangalore

    Sat, Jul 26 2014

    When the Narmada dam was built over 2 crore Adivasis who where living on the Gujarath/MP border lost their place of stay and where rendered homeless. The supreme court allowed it to go through and the BJP and congress called Medha Patkhar from Tata Institute of Social Sciences who fought for the Adivasis as a foreign agent.

    Anyone who fights for the local people against government and corporate interests is now branded a foreign agent.

    We have voted for this mega project development. In another 20 years, we would see complete destruction of our districts. Yous soruces pf clean drinking water would all have been contaminated.

    Do no trust congress and BJP, they work for the same corporare master.

    DisAgree [1] Agree [3] Reply Report Abuse

  • Mann, bangalore

    Fri, Jul 25 2014

    If the project situated high in the mountains bad for environment\animals\birds etc.
    If it is in the plains near to the sea a thermal project also bad for environment\agriculture with fly ash etc.
    if it is Hydel project then also problems of land inundation by the dam built for the purpose.
    Will it be possible to construct these project in the air? What will be the objection from people?

    DisAgree Agree [3] Reply Report Abuse

  • Jossey Saldanha, Mumbai

    Fri, Jul 25 2014

    You guys do not want development and then you will ask "Acche Din Kab Anne Wale Hai" ...

    DisAgree [5] Agree [13] Reply Report Abuse

  • Arun, Tulu Nadu

    Fri, Jul 25 2014

    This is price Tulu Nadu pays for lack of unity. If Tulu Nadu were created during independence these destructive power projects would not have come to Tulu Nadu. Beat yourself Tulu Nadu!

    DisAgree [7] Agree [5] Reply Report Abuse

  • Gingerbread, Mangalore

    Fri, Jul 25 2014

    This is what it means "ache din ane wale hai" Congress or BJP are brother and sister. Both have same projects same mentality, pro industrialist don't care for common man. AK49 Kejriwal is only option.

    DisAgree [5] Agree [5] Reply Report Abuse

  • Achhu, M,lore

    Fri, Jul 25 2014

    When we elect people make sure they are educated so that they will know value of this beautiful nature.

    DisAgree [1] Agree [14] Reply Report Abuse

  • Alwyn, mlore

    Fri, Jul 25 2014

    7MW power is really very small. problem is during construction blasting of the rocks will shakeup all the houses nearby & unhygienic labor conditions spreads malaria and dengue fever.

    DisAgree Agree [11] Reply Report Abuse

  • readerwriter007, pune

    Fri, Jul 25 2014

    I appreciate this is stopped at the initial stage itself than it pops up later stage across state or nation level. Requesting all the MPs / MLAs and local authorities to, first of all to stop this nonsense and also to check why all those stupid projects are dumped to south canara ? Are the people in Bangalore assumed that people here are dumboos to accept every s##t they dump on us or our politicians and local leaders are cha##as ?

    DisAgree [2] Agree [5] Reply Report Abuse

  • R.Bhandarkar, M'lore

    Fri, Jul 25 2014

    Hmmmm 'Sleepless Nights' famous Malyalam Movie of our times!Smashing well-
    errrrrr....all records!
    We also used to have them, 'Sleepless Nights' but for different reasons.No big big projects like Mini Hydel and all that.We used to think big but.

    DisAgree [12] Agree [5] Reply Report Abuse

  • Abdul Salam, Mangalore/Doha

    Sat, Jul 26 2014

    Avalude raavugal. niddodia nidre barada rathregalu.

    Ayyo devare kapadappa

    DisAgree Agree [1] Reply Report Abuse


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